Deputies raided a gambling establishment that resulted in the seizure of 70 illegal gambling machines and two arrests in rural Alamo, according to a criminal complaint. Photos courtesy of Hidalgo County records.

Deputies raided a gambling establishment that resulted in the seizure of 70 illegal gambling machines and two arrests in rural Alamo, according to a criminal complaint.

On Wednesday, Hidalgo County Sheriff's Office deputies entered a suspected eight-liner off of Moore Road.

When authorities arrived, 31-year-old Maria Elena Garza and 25-year-old Salvador Matias Lopez attempted to flee the scene, according to the criminal complaint.

Garza was accused of paying out patrons in cash for winnings inside the establishment, according to the criminal complaint. Lopez served as a bouncer of the establishment and was paid by proceeds made from the gambling operation, according to the criminal complaint.

Lopez and Garza were arrested and charged with possession of gambling devices/equipment/paraphernalia, keeping a gambling place, and gambling promotion -- all Class A misdemeanors.

Garza was released Thursday from the Hidalgo County jail on a $15,000 bond.

Lopez remained in the Hidalgo County jail Friday evening. A judge set his bond at $30,000.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Records: 70 gambling machines seized, two arrested in Alamo raid ... - KGBT-TV

A gambling-focused bill emerged quietly in the Florida House of Representatives earlier this week. Unlike an omnibus gambling expansion legislation proposed by a State Senator in January, the 81-page PCB TGC 17-01 takes a rather conservative stance on the provision of gambling services around the state and shies away from potential expansion.

Although the House-proposed bill comes as an almost exact opposite to the Sen. Bill Galvano-sponsored SB 8, the mere fact that two legislations may reach the Legislature before the session begins in early March has been read as a good sign for the possible implementation of any gambling reforms.

Among other things, the House measure proposes a solution to the long-running legal conflict between Florida and the Seminole Tribe. The two parties have been bickering over the tribes exclusive right to provide blackjack for almost two years now.

Under a five-year deal penned in 2010, the Seminole Tribe was granted an exclusivity to provide blackjack at its casinos across the state. The exclusivity period expired in the summer of 2015 but the tribe kept its blackjack tables, claiming that Florida had breached the contracts terms by allowing other, non-tribal, gambling venues to provide designated table games, some of which mimic actual blackjack.

Under the House-sponsored bill, the Seminoles will remain the sole blackjack providers in exchange for $3 billion contributed in several payments to Florida over a seven-year period. On the other hand, SB 8 will be trying to appease the tribe by allowing it to provide other table games like roulette and craps. However, the Seminoles will lose their blackjack exclusivity under the Senate bill.

PCB TGC 17-01 also includes provisions for the previously proposed addition of slot machines in eight Florida counties. The expansion proposal had been approved by residents of the counties in specially held referendums. The House-proposed bill bans the addition of slot machines at local gambling venues. This provision, too, clashes with what has been proposed by Sen. Bill Galvano.

If the proposed legislation is signed into law, it will also ban state pari-mutuels from offering banked table games, including the above-mentioned designated games, in which a player plays the role of the house.

Both the House and the Senate proposals will be put up for committee vote next Thursday. Here it is important to note that SB 8 passed one committee hurdle late last month, which means that it will go to the full Senate, if voted in the affirmative next week. As for the House-sponsored proposal, this would be its first committee stop.

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Florida House Goes Conservative on Gambling Expansion with New ... - Casino News Daily

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Online Casino USA Friendly Online Casinos for 2017

Breaking News

New License Fee Evaluation webpage

House Bill 1016 - Commission Position Statement

Economic Market Study by Spectrum Gaming Group - Report - Presentation

Valve Corporation Update (updated October 18, 2016)

Valve Corporation Update (updated October 17, 2016)

Valve Corporation Told to Stop Facilitating Gambling (updated October 5, 2016)

Group 12 Amusement Game Information

Order Denying Petitioner's Motion for Show Cause and Enjoinment of Enforcement

In an effort to "go green," beginning with the July 14th Gambling Commission meeting, hard copies of the commission packets will no longer be provided at meetings. Hard copies of the agendas will still be available. Materials will be available on our website about one week prior to the meetings for download.

For more information on meeting times, locations and agendas please call 360-486-3453 or write to Julie Anderson.

Effective mid- June 2016, we are no longer sending paper renewals or activity reports to any licensees unless you have signed up for a waiver (WAC 230-06-124 and WAC 230-06-125). All renewals and activity reports will be emailed to the address listed in My Account or for Individuals, the email address that you have provided.

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Washington State Gambling Commission

TimSimonawill have to front the NRL integrity unit to salvagehis careerafter the Tigers centre allegedly made numerous bets onrugby league matches.

Fairfax Media understands Simona, who has been shopped around to rival clubs for the past month and had been linked with a move to the Gold Coast, is believed to have made multiple minor bets on NRL games, some of which involved the Wests Tigers.

The NRL has issued the 25-year-old with a notice of intention to cancel his registration, givingSimonathe chance to front integrity unit boss Nick Weeks to plead his case.

It is understoodSimona'salleged infringements are considered isolated incidents and not related to the match-fixing investigation that was announced last year.

The magnitude of the indiscretion was described as "very serious" by a source close to the matter.

Under the NRL's betting code, "No NRL employee, NRL club employee, player, player manager or game official is allowed to participate, or be directly or indirectly involved in any way, in gambling in relation to rugby league.

"Or be involved directly or indirectly, in the provision of information not already in the public domain that might assist another person to gamble in relation to rugby league."

The Tigers were unaware of the NRL's investigation into the centre, only informed of their findings on Thursday.

It is understood the NRL received a tip-off informing them ofSimona'sbetting activity.

"The NRL today issued a notice of intention to cancel the registration of Wests Tigers player TimSimona," an NRL statement issued on Friday afternoon said.

"The notice relates to alleged breaches of the rules relating to gambling on NRL matches.Simonawill now be prohibited from training or playing with the club until the matter is finalised.

The Tigers centre has five business days to respond to the notice.

The last high-profile player to bebanned for betting on matches is former Origin and Australian international, David Williams.

The Manly winger was banned for half the season and struggled to revive his career after he was found to have betted on several NRL matches, including games he was involved in for the Sea Eagles.

He was one of five players caught by the NRL, including Ethan Lowe,Cody Nelson,HymelHunt and Slade Griffin who were stood down for breaching the code's rules.

The news ofSimona'spotential contract termination comes a day after Tigers forward Kyle Lovett fronted the club board afterbeing charged with possession of cocaine in December.

The Tigersback-rower, whowas given a six-month good behaviour bond after fronting court, is likely to survive the axe given he has no prior infringements to his name.

In an interview with Fairfax Media this week,Simonaaddressed the question marks over his future at the Tigers as the club looked to offload him elsewhere.

"I'm just concentrating on good footy here at the Tigers,"Simonasaid on Monday.

"The rest is my manager's job that's what he gets paid for. I'm just focusing on playing good footy. I've obviously heard a few rumours going around but I'm still signed here and concentrating on playing good footy.Obviously what we do is a business but I'm not too worried at the moment."

Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe said: "It is everyone's responsibility to uphold the integrity of the game. As a club, our focus is on the welfare and wellbeing of Tim."

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Tim Simona faces NRL deregistration after alleged breaches of gambling rules - The Sydney Morning Herald

Friday February 17 2017

A person inserts a coin into a fixed odds betting terminal in Githurai on November 27, 2015. Firms have objected to a bill seeking to regulate the sector. PHOTO | ANTHONY OMUYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The proposed law by Gem Member of Parliament Jakoyo Midiwo to regulate gambling will end up killing the industry, betting companies have said.

Their representatives asked a National Assembly committee to defer it until after consultations and a compromise reached.

Members of the association of betting firms met the committee on social welfare and said the Bill is misguided.

The Bill requires significant amendments. It would not be the same Bill as it was at the first reading, said Association of Gaming Operators of Kenya chairman Ronald Karauri.

The second reading was on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Karauri said the draft law would breach the Constitution and make it difficult to run gaming companies.

There appears to be a concerted targeting of the industry through measures that are designed to cripple the industry, Mr Karauri said.

Mr Karauri batted away claims that gambling is addictive, saying: That I cannot take. It has never been scientifically proven that betting is addictive.

"It is my personal belief that if there was a problem with betting, it would not grow.

The association presented a report from the police showing that there was no truth in claims on social media and by one media house that a person committed suicide after losing a bet.

Mr Karauri said the amendment to the law on their taxation last year had led to double taxation on revenue and then on their profits.

He said taxing revenues and profits would begin on February 20.

Kenya Revenue Authority say they dont know about taxes, yet they are aware that they have been collecting significant revenue, he added.

Members of the committee were surprised to hear that betting firms pay tax one paid Sh700 million in 2015.

They however told the association that the Bill would not be deferred and asked them to draft their desired amendments.

There is some urgency in the matter, David Were, the committee chairman, said.

Cherangany MP Wesley Korir (independent) said: We cannot just say that we defer. Bring your proposals. Lets sit again. Lets talk again. Lets become friends and we deal with this.

The associations lawyer, Mr Mwangi Muturi, said the law would violate the right to property as foreigners in local betting firms would be removed.

Mr Midiwos Bill proposes to increase betting tax from 7.5 per cent to 15 per cent of revenues, lottery tax from five per cent to 20 per cent of their turnover, gaming tax from 12 per cent to 20 per cent of revenue and prize competition tax from 15 per cent to 20 per cent.

Nasa leader forced to fly to Turkana South as chaos rocks Turkana East tour.

Blow to ODM party as its Kuria leader jumps ship.

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Firms oppose Bill regulating gambling - Daily Nation

The Florida House of Representatives quietly released its gambling overhaul for 2017 Thursday afternoon, setting it for a hearing next Thursday.

As expected, the 81-page bill (PCB TGC 17-01) includes arenewed blackjackdeal, or compact, between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, as first struck by Gov. Rick Scott.

No Casinos, the gambling expansion group, soon tweeted: Still analyzing bill, but at first blush @MyFLHouse seems to have found a way to renew compact without turning FL into Vegas/Atlantic City.

But the House already is at odds with the Senates 112-page measure (SB 8), which is set for its second and last committee hearing next week before the Appropriations panel.

In onesignificant example, the House bill outlaws designated-player card games, but the Senate wouldlet all cardroom operators offer designated player games.

In banked card games, players betagainst the house, or the casino, and not each other. In traditional poker,people play against each other for a pot of money.Designated-player games area hybrid, where the bank is supposed to revolve among the players.

Moreover, the House would prohibit the expansion of slot machines, retroactively to Jan. 1 of this year, by barring state regulators from issuing any new slots licenses.

The Senate generally expands theavailability of slot machines, including allowingany licensed pari-mutuel facility toget slots.

Last month, House Speaker Richard Corcoran suggestedhis chambers approach to gambling would be different.

Ive seen the (Senate) bill, and look, its not where were at, Corcoran told reporters. The three things weve said are, it has to be a contraction (of gambling) we want a constitutional amendment that bans the expansion of gaming; the Senates said they have no interest and we have courts that keep encroaching upon our ability to make those decisions.

TheHouseTourism & Gaming Control Subcommittee will hear the bill next Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in a meeting scheduled for two and a half hours. Its chair, St. Cloud Republican Mike La Rosa, could not be immediately reached.

And the Senate Appropriations Committee will hear its chambers bill that same day at 9 a.m.

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House gambling bill teed up for next week - SaintPetersBlog (blog)

ATTLEBORO - The city has applied for $400,000 in gambling mitigation money from the state to help design a $2.3 million public safety dispatch center in the South Attleboro fire station.

The application to the state Gaming Commission states the center would be used jointly for fire, police and ambulance services.

Gambling mitigation money is being requested because a recent study found traffic and crime incidents have increased in the area since the June 2015 opening of Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville.

Casinos in Massachusetts pay into the mitigation fund, so neighboring communities can apply for financial aid to offset any negative consequences from the casinos.

Mayor Kevin Dumas said the idea of the joint dispatch center is a new one, and specific plans have not yet been developed.

"This is in the absolute incipient stage, as there has been no detailed information provided. A consultant was contacted for a broad idea of cost without analyzing a possible location, details of staffing and capital costs," he said.

A capital improvement plan will be written later, Dumas said.

The city's application is based on the notion that police and fire calls have increased in recent years.

It states it is "plausible" that the increase in Attleboro is due in part to the casino.

One example it cites is the case of two North Attleboro and Plainville residents arrested in Attleboro for shoplifting.

One of the suspects told police she paid for a brand new car with winnings from Plainridge.

"One might infer from this story that they may impart a sense of risk-taking that lowers individual inhibitions to committing certain crimes," the application states.

The application notes that traffic accidents, especially along Route 1, which leads to the casino, were up significantly.

Traffic stops by police went from 5,772 in 2011 to 11,648 in 2016, a 102 percent increase over six years.

The city backs up its application with a report on police incidents done by a consultant to the commission.

The city received a cost estimate on a dispatch center from Pomroy Associates on Jan. 30, and applied for the grant on Feb. 1.

The estimate is based on a facility with 2,500 square feet of space, including a break room, lockers, a bathroom and a computer room.

The city's application was posted online by the commission Thursday afternoon. It has not set a date on when to vote on the request.

Plainville was the only other local community to apply for funding in the current round of grants. It is asking for $148,750 to buy a small fire truck for use within the casino parking garage.

JIM HAND covers politics for The Sun Chronicle. He can be reached at 508-236-0399, at jhand@thesunchronicle.com and on Twitter @TSCPolitics.

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Attleboro seeks gambling grant for new dispatch center - The Sun Chronicle

Iowa Resources

The Iowa Gambling Treatment and Prevention Program (IGTP) The Office of Problem Gambling Treatment and Prevention works to reduce the harm caused by problem gambling by funding a range of services for Iowans. These services include: outpatient counseling for problem gamblers, concerned persons and family, housing services for problem gamblers in treatment and with no other housing options, financial counseling including budgeting and debt reduction plans and a state-wide help line that provides information and referral services. In addition, the program funds prevention and education services for schools, community groups, casino employees, and other at-risk groups.

Responsible Gaming Education Week-August 3-7Responsible Gaming Education Week (RGEW) was created by the AGA in 1998 to increase awareness of problem gambling among gaming industry employees and customers and to promote responsible gaming nationwide. Find ideas for events and programs on the American Gaming Assocation Website.

National Problem Gambling Awareness Month Of MarchThe National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is pleased to present the National Problem Gambling Awareness Month (NPGAM) campaign, a grassroots public awareness and outreach campaign. The goal of this campaign is to educate the general public, and health care professinals about the warning signs of problem gambling and raise awareness about the help that is available both locally and nationally. [Theme: Have the Conversation] See suggestions forIowa's National Problem Gambling Awareness Week on their website http://www.ncpgambling.org

Problem Gambling Resources in iowaNCPG website listing assessment tools and additional resources

Download the 2016 NPGAM Guide The NPGAM Committee created this guide as a tool for planning your activities during the month.

Apps to use 'freemium' model, aim for young players amid daily fantasy stumbles

Online Library on Problem Gambling - from Responsible Gambling Council

Pathological Gambling: A Critical Review (1999) - read full-text of monograph online

Gambling in California- informative chapters on "Gambling in the U.S.", "History of Gambling in the U.S.", "Why Do People Gamble?", "Economic Impact of Gambling", and more.

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Problem Gambling Online Resources - Drugfreeinfo.org

You have decided that you or your loved one is in need of gambling addiction treatment. Now what? How do you find out about treatment facilities? What level of care is needed? How do you know if a gambling rehab center is a right fit? How do you know if you are getting what you pay for? Here are a few tips for making the best decision for treatment.

Identifying the appropriate level of care is the first step when looking for a gambling addiction treatment facility. Speak to your doctor or mental health provider to determine the appropriate level of care. Levels of care for treatment facilities include residential or partial hospitalization. Knowing the appropriate level of care will determine what treatment facility is appropriate for you or your loved one to overcome a gambling addiction.

Not all gambling addiction treatment centers are created equal. So, how do you know which gambling rehab center to choose if you or a loved one has a gambling problem? The individual needs of a person is the first thing to consider when choosing a treatment facility. For example, choose a facility that can address specific addiction (gambling, substance use) and mental health needs. Check out what therapies are offered, such as evidence based-practices (Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, Dialectal Behavioral Therapies, Expressive Therapies, and Trauma Therapies). In addition, addiction treatment should include work with peer counselors (counselors who are in recovery) and provide follow up care, such as referrals for additional treatments and support in identifying recovery needs. Another way to determine if a facility can meet your needs is to check out the staff credentials and ensure that the facility has appropriate licensing. In addition to treatment needs and therapies, also consider the individual attention that is given to each patient. A low staff to patient ratio and a focus on individual sessions will ensure that you or your loved one will receive one on one attention.

Addiction and mental health treatment is expensive, making affordability a consideration when planning for treatment and for your future. It is important to consider the value of treatment when determining the cost. Are you paying for treatment or for the location and amenities? We offer the look and feel of home with the safety and security of an inpatient/residential treatment facility. Patients are surrounded by 400 acres of beautiful farmland with modern amenities and an in house chef. In addition to the beautiful surroundings and amenities, Williamsville also focuses on meeting individual needs through intensive individual and group sessions. At Williamsville, we have a 1:1 therapist patient ratio and offer 15+ individual sessions per week. The focus on individual sessions ensure that each patient is receiving individual attention, encouragement and support for processing and exploring root issues to addiction and mental health concerns. We address issues of addiction and mental health through a variety of evidence-based therapies and have on site peer counselors that support patients through the steps of AA/NA/GA. We are in-network with most major insurers which enables you to have intensive therapy in an excellent environment at the lowest possible cost.

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Gambling Addiction Treatment Center, Rehab - Non Gambler

CBS Local

Dunlap: State Rep. Gets It Right With Sports Gambling CBS Local That's why it's so puzzling to me why I can walk into one of the aforementioned Pennsylvania casinos and see people gambling plopping dollar after dollar into slot machines or playing table games and I can't for the life of me understand why a ...

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Dunlap: State Rep. Gets It Right With Sports Gambling - CBS Local

Marietta police arrested three men they say were running an organized gambling operation out of two storefronts in town.

Investigators found at least 15 unlicensedcoin-operated slot machines when they raided Gantt food store at 1033 Franklin Gateway and a Citgo at the corner of Windy Hill andBenson Poole roads Monday.

They arrested Gantt ownerKhubaib Hussain, Gantt employee Samson Beye and convenience store workerArif Muhammad each on a felony charge of commercial gambling.

What started as a drug trafficking case by Marietta cops in mid-2014 ended upa substantial organized crime investigation involving Cobb County police,Douglas County Sheriffs Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.

According to warrants, Hussain ran the unlicensed operation and the other two men handed out the cash winnings.

The legal line is crossed when owners pay cash prizes instead of giving store credit or lottery tickets,said Kimberly Starks, Georgia Lottery spokeswoman.

The machines were disabled and the agency cited the businesses, she said.

When searching the Douglasville home of Hussain, police officers found $250,000 in cash, five high-end vehicles, eight computers and a large tote full of gold jewelry.

All three men bonded out. Hussain had the highest bond,$38,720. Beye and Muhammad paid $2,970 each.

Investigators plan to get subpoenas for several bank accounts they believe are connected to the investigation.

Anyone with information about the case can call the anonymous Marietta police tip line at 770-794-6990.

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Cops bust alleged gambling ring being run out of Cobb storefronts - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Baseball is back and so is Pete Rose, as he continues defending his gambling habits.

The Major League Baseball hit king and current Fox Sports 1 analyst made an appearance on the season 3premiere of Joe Bucks talk show Undeniable, which airs on the AT&T Audience Sports Network. During the interview, Rose offered some particularly strong words for those who criticize his continued legal gambling on sports by stating the following:

Who cares if I want to make a legal bet and go home and watch it? Who am I hurting? Im not hurting anybody, Im living my life.

[Sign up for Yahoo Fantasy Baseball | 2017 Player Rankings]

Rose, who was denied reinstatement to Major League Baseball by commissioner Rob Manfred and remains shut out from the Baseball Hall of Fame, also questioned the Halls selection process and its guidelines based on members who are already in.

I know a lot of guys in the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is not full of altar boys. You want me to reconfigure my life? Tell me what you want me to do.

Its the same song and dance weve heard and seen for many years with Rose. Though with each passing year it seems hes somehow further removed from the understanding that his actions were damaging to the integrity of baseball.

Pete Rose continued defending his gambling habits during an interview with Joe Buck. (Getty Images)

That Rose continues gambling today is not the biggest concern of the parties he criticizes. Its the lack of remorse hes shown as the evidence hebet on baseball as a player as well as a manager continued to grow, even as Manfred considered overturning his ban from 1989. Its also the fiery manner with which Rose lashes out year after year.

Theres always a path to forgiveness, yet Rose continues to take detours rather than taking responsibility or acknowledging the possibility he may have been wrong.A lot of people root for Pete Rose regardless, which is fine. A lot of other people would love to get behind him, but find it difficult when he constantly positions himself as a victim.

One thing seems certain though. Pete Rose is never going to change. Not for his critics. Not for anyone.

More on Yahoo Sports: UFC champ Conor McGregor takes on President Trump protesters How crawfish and beer saved the NBA in New Orleans Tennis star Bouchard pays off blind date bet at NBA game Tony Romo reportedly believes his Dallas career is over

Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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Pete Rose defends legal gambling: 'Who am I hurting?' - Yahoo Sports - Yahoo Sports

CBS46 News Atlanta

'Operation Parlay' Leads To Gambling Raid, Arrest Patch.com FORSYTH COUNTY, GA -- A Forsyth County resident has been arrested and charged with connecting to running a gambling ring out of two homes, one of which is located in Woodstock. Multiple agencies on Thursday executed search warrants in Cumming ... Operation Parlay | Authorities: Online sports betting ring operated out of Georgia homes11alive.com all 4 news articles »

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'Operation Parlay' Leads To Gambling Raid, Arrest - Patch.com

WICHITA, Kan. The focus of a federal investigation in Wichita is unknown, but a Wichita attorney says one of the names that has surfaced is involved in high-level gambling.

Tuesday, prominent Wichita businessman Brandon Steven confirmed to the Wichita Eagle that he is the target of an FBI investigation.

Steven told the newspaper he believes federal investigators are looking into his poker playing and his involvement trying to build a casino in southeast Kansas.

The investigation has raised questions about what's considered gambling in Kansas, like Poker and why it's illegal in our state.

Kansas law is clear on this, and yes, most Poker games played for money or a prize are illegal. In Kansas, it doesn't matter if you're playing for a few dollars or a few thousand dollars.

There are three elements that constitute gambling.

First is consideration. That's the money you put in. The state says that includes money to play the game, money to get a seat at the table, even cover charge money to get into the event.

Second is the prize. This can include money, tickets, or even a trip.

The final element is chance. This part of the equation has been argued, even in court in the state about whether Poker is more a game of chance or skill. So far, the court says it's mostly chance.

If you have the three elements, the state says it is gambling and it is illegal. Remove any one of the elements and your game is legal in Kansas.

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FF12: When is gambling illegal in Kansas? - KWCH

OSAGE -- An Osage woman is accused of gambling with her mother's money and not leaving enough for the older woman's care.

Marilyn Jo Spartz, 58, was charged with second-degree theft.

She's accused of gambling with her mother's money from July to December at Diamond Jo Casino in Northwood, according to court documents.

Formal charges were filed last week by Assistant Mitchell County Attorney Aaron Murphy. Her next court appearance is Tuesday.

Investigators say Spartz, who lived with her mother, also used the money to buy a bus ticket to bring her boyfriend to Iowa.

They allege $2,315.50 was improperly spent.

The theft was discovered when Spartz's mother's health insurance company declined to pay her medical bills from a recent hospitalization, according to the complaint.

Police say the woman's health care plan had been canceled because there wasn't enough money in her checking account to pay for the insurance.

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Osage woman accused of stealing, gambling mother's money - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

In 2017 all online casinos have full power to cheat against their own players. They can do it easily, without being spotted. It is also difficult for the casino to prove when they are not cheating.

The fast-growing ($46B in 2016) online gambling industry has a problem: TRANSPARENCY. In 2017 all online casinos have full power to cheat against their own players. They can do it easily, without being spotted. It is also difficult for the casino to prove when they are not cheating. This creates a massive problem for online gambling and casts a shadow on the industrys reputation.

The new blockchain based casino Edgeless.io is planning to change this.

There is no way of knowing what happens inside the casino servers and how the mechanisms are programmed says Tomas Draksas, professional gambler and co-founder of Edgeless.io, a company that promises absolute transparency and a 0% house edge casino. Casinos can be easily rigged for a huge house edge. We want to change that by offering cryptocurrency based gambling mechanics that anyone can audit to see that we are not rigging the game and dont have a house edge Draksas continues.

The problem is real. The Wizard of Odds blog about the online gambling industry has so far black-listed over 50 online casinos. These platforms have been caught cheating in many different ways, including rigging the outcome, failed win payouts, delayed funds withdrawals and many more. Bitcoin casinos are no better: case of famous bitcoin casino caught cheating.

It is scary how easily online casino can be rigged. With a few tweaks to programming code, the owners can easily influence the casinos profitability in their own favor states Tomas Draksas, Edgeless.io co-founder . I believe that many major online casinos are abusing their power. For the sake of better gambling experience and industry growth, casinos must be decentralised.

Edgeless.io was founded last year by a group of blockchain and gambling experts based in Germany and Lithuania. First, the team tested markets with a fully transparent slotmachine called etherslots.win and the early success has now led to the launch of the first transparent, 0% house edge online casino Edgeless.io.

0% house edge on our games will sound really controversial for most people and thats the reason why we offer these games. Using blockchain we can also make it extremely profitable Says Tomas Draksas. We also have plans for additional games and sports betting everything will be fair and transparent, thats our motto he continues.

Edgeless is based on popular blockchain technology called Ethereum, which enables the use of smart-contracts that anyone can audit. Usually casinos offer a Fairness Check, but that has not stopped these platforms from cheating, as a lot can be done behind the scenes at the server level. Blockchain-based smart contracts are fully transparent and players can be 100% sure that no one is trying to scam them.

Edgeless.io casino is going live in few months and before that, the company is raising funds through a new crowdfunding method called Initial Coin Offering (ICO).

On the ICO, supporters can buy digital tokens that work as an in-game currency and proof of membership. Each month EDG token holders can then play a special lottery to win 40% of the company profits.

We are breaking new ground here with member benefits. Our engineers have worked hard on a Game of Profits-lottery that is open for all our token holders says Ignas Mangevicius, CTO and co-founder of Egeless.io.

The crowdfunding campaign will start on 28th of February 2017, 3:00pm GMT and the goal is to raise 360 000 ETH by selling Edgeless tokens for gambling enthusiasts. More information about the ICO on https://edgeless.io/

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Edgeless Casino Introduces Revolutionary Transparent 0% House Edge Online Gambling - newsBTC

A day after the Philippine National Police chief, Director General Rolando dela Rosa, announced a war on illegal gambling, arrests were made in the neighboring cities of Malabon and Valenzuela.

Instead of busting bigtime gambling operators, however, the wars opening salvo settled for small fry. Eduardo Masagcay, an alleged kubrador or bet collector, was arrested in Malabon, while pedicab driver Daniel Reyes was arrested in Valenzuela for playing tong-its, a card game he was caught playing on the street.

Chief Supt. Roberto Fajardo, the director of Northern Police District, said the arrests were in line with Dela Rosas declaration. The war on gambling has always been there. But since thats the order, we will focus our efforts there, Fajardo told the Inquirer on Wednesday.

Fajardo said the police were still awaiting the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of President Rodrigo Dutertes Executive Order No. 13. The EO directed law enforcement agencies, freeport authorities and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to intensify the campaign against illegal gambling.

Raids, raids, raids

Fajardo said the NPD would obey the EO through raids, raids, raids. But he said the police would need the publics help in pinpointing targets while were waiting for the IRR.

Reyes was arrested on Navarette Street, Barangay Arkong Bato, about 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 13 by PO1 Noel Caspe of Valenzuela police. A report by the officer in charge, Supt. Freddie Tejano, said Caspe chanced upon Reyes and his two female companions in the act of playing illegal cards called tong-its.

This game, the report added, is prohibited under Presidential Decree No. 1602 issued by then President Ferdinand Marcos in July 1978.

The same presidential decree was allegedly violated by Masagcay, who was described in a report by Senior Supt. John Chua, the Malabon police chief, as a kubrador for bookies karera, which is based on horse racing results.

Masagcay was taking a bet from an unidentified man when a team composed of SPO1 Damian Matalang, PO2 Francis Camuna and PO1 Ricky Lamsen arrested him on Sulucan Street in Barangay Hulong Duhat about 8:20 p.m. on Feb. 14.

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'War on gambling' starts with small fry - Inquirer.net

Posted February 15, 2017 21:24:14

Retail group Wesfarmers has thrown its weight behind gambling reform by not ruling out dumping its gaming operations unless changes are introduced to limit the social damage caused by poker machines.

The company's chief executive, Richard Goyder, has told ABC's The Business it was pushing poker-machine manufacturers to make software changes that would allow it to introduce a $1 per spin limit to poker machines, which it could trial in its hotels.

"We had a conversation at board level about this and there's a really strong desire from both Wesfarmers and Coles to move this along and I'm hopeful this will happen," he said.

Wesfarmers began its push last year but it is being stonewalled by poker-machine manufacturers.

"I'm hoping we get a positive response because we'd like to trial it we think it is the right thing to do and we're a bit frustrated at the moment that we can't do it," Mr Goyder said.

Wesfarmers inherited a large gambling business when it bought Coles in 2007, including a swag of Queensland hotels bought in order to compete against rival Woolworths in the liquor business.

"The reason we're in pokies is that legislation in Queensland mandates that to retail liquor, you have to own hotels," he said.

When asked if the company would consider selling its poker machines, Mr Goyder said: "We need that legislation to change and it's fair to say we'll look at all options, but at the end of the day we are a good operator and an ethical operator of these businesses and we should be allowed to trial $1 spin limits in line with the Productivity Commission recommendations."

He added the limit would "reduce the harm that comes from one end of the pokie industry".

"But if we can't do that, we'll look at other options," he said.

When asked how quickly the Wesfarmers board wanted the issue resolved, Mr Goyder replied: "I'm serious about it and there's no doubt the board and John Durkin [managing director] at Coles is serious as well, so we would like it to move forward as quickly as we can."

Pokies reform is shaping up to be an issue that could be a legacy for Mr Goyder as he prepares to leave Wesfarmers at the end of the year.

The issue was put on Mr Goyder's agenda at a meeting with World Vision Australia's Tim Costello three years ago, when he made a promise to tackle problem gambling.

Coles has been in communication with long-time anti-gambling campaigners senator Nick Xenophon and MP Andrew Wilkie.

Mr Wilkie told the ABC Wesfarmers should be congratulated for continuing to push against the might of the gambling lobby.

"It's nothing short of scandalous that Australia's poker-machine manufacturers are refusing to make safer $1-maximum bet machines, and vitally important that Coles doesn't buckle to such unscrupulous behaviour," he said.

"We know that 40 per cent of money lost on poker machines is lost by gambling addicts and any corporation whose business model depends on this, or which supports the operators of poker machines, is patently unethical and to be condemned."

Wesfarmers rival Woolworths is the biggest poker-machine operator in the country and has not shown interest in pushing for $1 machines.

Topics: gambling, retail, community-and-society, australia

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Wesfarmers considers pokies exit in bid to tackle problem gambling - ABC Online

MARIETTA, Ga. - Luxury cars, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, and jewelry were all seized in an illegal gambling raid. Three people are in jail after what police are calling a substantial organized crime investigation.

Marietta police said this is a result of a two-year investigation. Detectives have been watching Gantts Food on Franklin Gateway and another convenience store on Windy Hill Road which police said is owned by the same man, Khubaib Hussain.

Detectives said the gaming machines in both stores were paying out cash, and thats illegal in Georgia.

What theyve been doing is paying people off in cash, anywhere from $5 to $5,000, said Marietta Police Officer Brittany Wallace.

Monday police obtained search warrants for the two stores and the owners home in Douglas County. Police said they seized five vehicles, $250,000 cash, jewelry, computers and a phone.

Hussain along with two employees were arrested and charged with felony commercial gambling. Tuesday night, they were in the Cobb County Jail, but the stores were open, minus the gaming machines. Those were seized by state authorities Tuesday afternoon.

VIDEO: Hear why police said they took down the operation and why

Nikki Tavares is a customer of Gantts Food. She said she often saw people playing the machines.

People come and sit at the machines and they smoke their cigarettes, but I didnt think they were doing anything wrong, said Tavares.

Marietta police said the investigation involved a number of agencies including the Cobb County Police Department, Douglas County Sheriffs Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Revenue. Authorities said they are also looking into possible money laundering and tax evasion.

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Massive felony gambling raid in Marietta | WAGA - FOX 5 Atlanta